Queen Elizabeth II news: Why does Prince Philip prefer to live apart from the Queen?

QUEEN ELIZABETH II and Prince Philip have been reunited during the coronavirus pandemic, with the couple currently isolating together at Windsor Castle. But usually, Philip prefers to live away from the Queen, so why is this the case?

Prince Philip and the Queen are currently living at Windsor Castle while the UK is under lockdown due to coronavirus. However, Prince Philip usually lives full-time at the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which is known to be one of the Royal Family’s best loved residences. The Queen divides her time between her various royal homes, but can usually be found at Buckingham Palace in London, and is away from her husband for much of the year.
This year Philip will mark his 99th birthday in June in lockdown with the Queen.
A skeleton team of staff are currently looking after the couple, and the pair are said to be enjoying their time together.
A source recently told Vanity Fair the Queen was in “excellent spirits” at home in Windsor.

Queen Elizabeth II news: The Queen and Prince Philip have been married for more than 70 years (Image: GETTY)
The source said: “One of the nicest things for the Queen is that she is getting to spend more time with her husband than she usually would.
“They have dinner together in the evenings and I imagine the Queen is of the generation where she dresses for dinner.
“She is riding out every day and is making the most of this time.”
At the age of 94, the Queen still regularly completes royal engagements and usually has an incredibly busy schedule.

Queen Elizabeth II news: At the age of 94, the Queen still regularly completes royal engagements (Image: GETTY)

Queen Elizabeth II news: The Queen once described Philip as her ‘strength and stay’ (Image: GETTY)
However, Prince Philip officially retired from royal life in 2017, meaning he no longer completes any royal engagements.
Over the course of his life, Philip completed more than 22,000 royal engagements and was a frequent fixture by the Queen’s side.
So now Philip is retired, he is known to prefer the sanctuary of Wood Farm at Sandringham over the hustle and bustle of Buckingham Palace.
With her busy schedule, it makes sense for the Queen to reside at Buckingham Palace most of the time, but she still manages to find the time to visit Philip when she can.
The Queen once described Philip as her “strength and stay” over her long reign, and an insider has previously commented on how the Queen wanted Prince Philip to enjoy his retirement.
A courtier revealed to the Daily Mail: “The Queen feels the Duke has earned a proper retirement.
“She knows him too well – if he was still at the centre of royal life he’d feel he had to be involved.
“Being at Wood Farm means he’s not too far away, but far enough to be able to relax.”

Queen Elizabeth II news: The Queen usually resides at Buckingham Palace in London (Image: GETTY)

Queen Elizabeth II news: The Queen and Prince Philip are currently together at Windsor Castle (Image: GETTY)
The Queen joins Philip in Norfolk every year in December, where the couple celebrate Christmas together.
Other members of the Royal Family join them for the festivities, before leaving the Queen and Philip to spend some time together at the start of the new year.
The Queen tends to leave Sandringham in February, on the anniversary of her father King George VI’s death.
But this year the Queen and Philip will be having an extended period of time together, with the lockdown not due to be lifted for some time.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK